Introduced
in 1962 as a special application lense - while it may carry another objective in
expanding capabilities and widen the appeal of 35mm reflex SLR photography which
was still considered at its infancy stage back during early '60.

The successful debut of
this lens was considered as an optical breakthrough. For the first time, a 35mm reflex
camera was able to offer the shift feature previously found only in large
format cameras. It offered the ability to shift the optical portion of the lens 11mm
off center, and rotate the lens so the shift could be effected in any direction. This
is especially helpful in architectural photography to include an entire building
in a photo without tilting the camera upwards, which causes the vertical lines to
converge. This has helped Nikon to strengthen its footing further with theNikon F system.

It was also
the first Nikkor lense that enables 35mm users to have some form of control over
perspective in photography. The PC-Nikkor permits photography of fairly extensive
subjects without tilting or inclining the camera. It provides a facility never before
possible, except with large view cameras equipped with swings and tilts and a movable
lens board. Its optical design comprises of a straight forward 7 elements in 6 group
retrofocus design and eliminate the needs to mirror lock camera and use auxiliary
finder for shooting. NOTE: Nikon Japan website
also has a few articles
relating to development of PC-Nikkor lenses where you can read more about to it. Secondly,
our friend, Lars has also sent me an URL relating to Instruction
Manual for the early version of the PC-Nikkor.

Credit: Two additional views of this hard-to-find early series PC-Nikkor
lense were contributed by a Ebay seller who wants his identity withheld. Wish to
take this opportunity to thank him (BOB) for his contributions. Images have been
retouched slightly for this page.

Barely larger
than a comparing3.5cm f/2.8-16 Nikkor-S Autowideangle lense
physically, this PC-lense also can focus down to a similar minimum distance of 0.3m.
The scallop design focusing ring is positioned after two rings at the front and locates
at the center. It is quite a narrow grip and uncomfortable to handle. This compact
PC lense weighs 290g -heavier than a comparing faster 35mm f/2.8 prime wideangle
lense as there are more mechanical parts in its assembly such as the addition of
an all metal rigid shift plate and the side-mounting screw. This PC-Nikkor 1:3.5
f=35mm has no automatic diaphragm and has to preset the diaphragm manually. The aperture
ring is located at the foremost ring with aperture scales from f/3.5 to f/22 imprinted
on the outer section of the silver-coloured chrome front filter rim (the lens data
was re-positioned to the metal shift plate instead). The three rings with varying
texture for gripping (Aperture preset, Stopped down and focusing) are similar to
those with subsequent f/2.8 version (see picture below).

Comparing to
subsequent version, this early PC lense is more simpler in its overall features with
a clearer layouts. Perhaps it was the only Nikkor among all early series of Nikkor
lenses that uses millimetres "mm" instead of "cm" in its lens
data inscriptions. This is essential because the engraved markings for displacement
of lens is also measured in "mm" and up to 11 millimetres can be adjusted
in any direction - horizontal, vertical or diagonal. This retrofocus Nikon lense
has quite a large piece of front lens elements despite it has a relatively slower
maximum aperture of f/3.5 but it shares a similar standard 52mm filter attachment
size with other Nikkors from 20mm to 200mm focal lengths. This rare, early original
version of the PC-Nikkor lense is a "hot" item and highly desired by collectors.

35mm f/2.8 PC-Nikkor

The first
version of the PC-Nikkor has a slight flaw in its basic design, the shift plate is
being designed to close and obstructing a perfect match if attempting mount any Nikon
Photomic metered finders on a Nikon F. It restricts flexibility and only selective
non-metered finders such as eyelevel and waist-level viewfinders can be used efficiently.
So a subsequent remodeled PC-Nikkor lense was introduced in 1968 as replacement.
It has a faster lens speed of f/2.8 which has improved viewfinder brightness considerably
for easy focusing and picture composing. However, Nikon has not improved on its overall
cosmetic design of this lense with its scalloped focusing ring and finely ridged
aperture and aperture preset ring sections where each individual ring being designed
with a different grip texture to differentiate the feel during shooting.

" .... Nikkor 35mm
f:/2.8 PC Original lens SER# 85309X: This lens has a unique Perspective Control system
that allows you to shift the center of the lens in several directions to correct
perspective. That kind of system is common in large format cameras. Never again images
with sharp perspective building that looks as they are going to fall, this lens will
make building appears almost fully parallel in your images...."

The apertures have been extended on both ends, from f/2.8 to a useful f/32 in extending
depth of field control - critical for its nature. The optical composition was rearranged
in a new 8 elements in 7 groups design. Probably only supplied in an all matte finish
outfit, with lens data moved to the inside section of the filter rim in a circular
format and it has few aperture scales printed in colours (green for f/2.8, pink for
f/8.0, yellow for f/16 and blue for f/32) corresponding to the depth of field indicators
engraved next to the focusing index.

The PC-Nikkor is wideangle lens of retrofocus
design, it incorporates the lens shifting feature for control of image perspective.
It is also extremely useful in architectural, industrial and commercial photography
and where perspective compensation in enlarging the negative is difficult. In the
PC-Nikkor, a micrometer lead screw control permits moving the optics off-center as
much as 11 mm. The effect is the same as is produced on a view camera having a 3-inch
rise and equipped with a 9-1/2-inch lens. Relative:
Canon FD 35mm f/3.5 TS SSC with
true TILT and SHIFT functions.

The entire lens
mount rotates so that correction can be made in any direction - horizontal, vertical
or diagonal. There are 12 click-stop graduations positioned at 30° intervals.
In the normal position, the lens is also an effective intermediate wideangle with
an angle of view of 62°. In the illustrations above, the angles of view between
a standard 35mm lens and the PC-Nikkor are compared with a 35mm film frame outlined.
The weight of this version has increased considerably to 335g and due to its more
likely nature in specialty photography, the use of the multiple-grids outlined Type
E focusing screen is always recommended.

Credit: To all the good
people who has contributed their own experience, resources or those who are kind
enough granting us permission to use their images appeared in this site Note:certain
content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing
leaflets, brochures, sales manuals or publications published by Nikon over the years
and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their work for educational
purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for may discrepancies arise
from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu
KK"
& "Nikkor" are registered
tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.